In a recent question, I realized that while I know what's currently considered the most obscene word in American English ("cunt"), I am told that word is much more unexceptional and workaday in British English, and I do not actually know what word does bear the distinction of most obscene in that vernacular. So, what is it?

Looking for current rather than historical usage, obscenity rather than taboo for reasons other than obscenity (as with racial slurs in the United States), and obscene words rather than obscene concepts -- that is, the taboo attaches to the word itself. If it varies between major British English dialects, give me whatever flavors you know.

For purposes of this question, "most obscene" means that somebody using the word in a context where obscenity is not normally expected will most commonly be thought to be performing the greatest violation of social convention for reason of the word's obscenity.

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7

Is cunt really the most obscene American English word? Is there really an answer for this at all?
– KosmonautFeb 9 '11 at 21:47

7

How could this not be closed as subjective and argumentative? Any question whose title is “the most ... word” is bound to be in this category...
– F'xFeb 9 '11 at 21:56

3

What kind of question is this ? What might be obscene to one person might be daily parlance for others. There can be no one answer to this question.
– Arjun J RaoFeb 9 '11 at 22:42

5

@chaos: This is not a matter of EL&U being squeamish. If I call my (male) friend a "cunt", he won't find that as offensive as other things I could have called him. Depending on my sex, age, race, background and the sex, age, race, background, and relationship I have with the other person speaking, a different word could be the most offensive one possible. And this variation could be all within a single community. Taboo words are fascinating in general; there is just no way to answer this question.
– KosmonautFeb 9 '11 at 22:46

5 Answers
5

I can't think of anything stronger than cunt, to be honest, and even that depends on context.

(As an aside, I think I'd have to side with @chaos on the debate about whether 'relative obscenity' is a meaningful expression. Even though different people may have different levels of tolerance, I think that in a given society, most will agree on what is 'generally acceptable' or not, and will know how to adapt their vocabulary depending on the company present).

If the question were "what words are generally regarded as highly obscene", then it would be in line with what you are talking about. This question was about "what is the most obscene word"? There is no way to actually answer this. I think the studies chaos found come the closest that one could ever get to answering this question, but they don't actually answer that question (instead they answer the question "what word meets the threshold of highly obscene among the most people?").
– KosmonautFeb 10 '11 at 13:59

For a recent demonstration of how much fuss still can be generated in the UK by even an accidental use of this word, try Googling 'Jeremy Hunt' 'Culture Secretary' Naughtie. I think the most widespread response was amusement rather than outrage, however, so perhaps things are shifting.
– onestopFeb 19 '11 at 15:30

@Benjol: Maybe, but what I really wanted in the first place was a native speaker's intrinsic knowledge, which is what you gave me, and I feel vaguely like it's poor form to accept one's own answer.
– chaosFeb 10 '11 at 14:39

I have heard that "cunt" is thrown about much more liberally in Scotland than in England.
– Robin GreenApr 17 '11 at 11:12

The links are broken. I left them in place for reference.
– Kit Z. Fox♦Jul 24 '13 at 19:25

+1: It seems to me that over the last decade or two, nigger has become so offensive to many Americans that it's now more taboo than cunt. Brits have moved in that direction, but not so far, I feel.
– FumbleFingersDec 9 '11 at 13:04

Indeed, not far enough. And sadly, since 9/11 and the putative 'war on terror' in Afghanistan, 'Paki', which was going the same way has become popular again amongst the far-right and lower orders.
– 5arxDec 9 '11 at 15:17

These are highly subjective mattters, obviously. Offense can be just as much in the ear of the hearer as the mouth of the speaker - witness the considerable legal and social ramifications of using the word niggardly in America (which to most Brits, is either amusing or baffling). Personally, I don't think you can change a bigot's perceptions by legislating his use of language - all you can or should do is constrain people's actions to be "reasonable".
– FumbleFingersDec 9 '11 at 17:37

+1 I agree. I wince if I hear the second set of words but am not bothered by any of the first set.
– Martin SmithFeb 15 '14 at 21:22

Dutch has "kut", which can be used in similar fashion, but it is sometimes less strong than cunt: I might shout it when, e.g., I hit my head, which is how most people under 40 would use it on a regular basis. Using it to indicate a person is much stronger (I don't think I ever do that). French has con, Spanish coño, etc. etc.
– CerberusFeb 20 '11 at 19:13

English has the multi-purpose and ever-reliable (in terms of causing offense) 'cunt'. It may be used affectionately in connection with your dearest friends and also in anger against those whom you most despise.
– 5arxJan 20 '12 at 10:59

genitalia words = highly offensive 'swear' words - it's an interesting point, made slightly more confusing given that 'vulva' wouldn't be considered nearly as obscene as 'cunt', except in the context of talking-about-genitalia in general being taboo.
– yochannahOct 16 '13 at 11:29